Yreka man fatally wounded in car wreck

YREKA – A Yreka man was fatally wounded during a vehicle accident approximately 1.3 miles south of Humbug Road just outside of Yreka during the early morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 8.

The deceased was identified as 21-year-old Benjamin Stephens. His passenger, Jacob Linville, 22, also of Yreka, sustained moderate injuries.

According to a press release issued by the California Highway Patrol, at approximately 2 a.m., Stephens was traveling in a 1990 Subaru Station Wagon along with his passenger on Forest Service Road 45N28.

For an unknown reason, Stephens made an unsafe turn while negotiating a sharp left turn in the roadway. The Subaru began to slide toward its right side before it left the roadway and became airborne. The vehicle rolled several times and came to rest against a crop of trees, nearly 120 feet down the embankment.

“It does not appear Benjamin was wearing his seatbelt during this collision and ultimately was fatally wounded,” the release stated.

Linville appeared to be properly restrained and he was transported to Fairchild Medical Center for treatment for his moderate injuries.

“The cause of this collision is still under investigation; however, the use of drugs and/or alcohol may be a contributing factor,” the release noted.

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